Butter carton



Nov. 14, 1967 L. S. WYSOCKI BUTTER CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.30, 1966 m WE .fm

C m/ Ema W Y A B L United States Patent Gfiiice 3,352,692 Patented Nov.1 1967 Delaware Filed Nov. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 598,643 1% Claims. (Cl.99179) This invention relates to a butter carton or the like having aneasy opening device, the artons being particularly adapted for use witha product in the form of individual sticks or quarters.

Conventional cartons are designed to accommodate a pound of butter inthe form of a solid block or in the form of quarters or sticks. Whenquarters are used, the individual sticks of butter may be arranged in arow or be placed in paired layers. In some instances these cartons maybe provided with an easy opener in the form of overlying flap portionswhich may be separated to expose the product. It is an object of thepresent invention to provide an easy opener arranged along overlyingclosure panels of the carton whereby at least the end of one of thequarters will be exposed when the opener is removed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an openercomprising adhered closure flaps having a series of perforations alongthe fold lines connecting the flaps to similar top and bottom panels ofthe carton, whereby partially opening the flaps will expose at least onstick of the product in the carton.

For one form of butter or margarine carton, the sticks of the productare generally square in cross-section, being approximately 1%" x 1%" andapproximately long. The generally rectangular similar carton top andbottom panels are of a slightly greater length and slightly greatercombined total width than the sticks of the product. The top and bottompanels are hingedly connected to a back or first panel. Hingedlyconnected side and front closure panels are provided from both top andbottom panels to close the sides and front of the carton when theclosure panels are folded into overlying relation and secured.

Angularly connected cuts are provided along one or both hingedconnections of the side closure panels to the top and bottom panels, oralternatively angular cuts are provided along one hinge line withperforations along the other hinge line. A tab or lip may be provided atthe ends of the side closure panels, the tabs extending in registeredrelation to provide a grasping lip. By lifting upwardly on the lipportion, the side closure panels are separated from the top and bottompanels along the lines of perforation or cuts to expose the product.

In the preferred construction, a pair of registered transverse foldlines extend across the side closure panels, the weakened lines ofseparation in the form of the perforations or cuts terminating at thesetransverse lines.

A particular advantage of the present device lies in the fact that theangled cuts do not fuse together readily when heat is applied to theside closure panels in the final saling. Such fusing constitutes aproblem with straight perforations. In the preferred construction, theangularly connected cuts are arranged at a 45 angle with a 50% cutscore'line being provided along the base of the angled cuts. The leadingcuts or nicks terminate on or adjacent to the edge of the lip.Accordingly, opening of the carton so that the contents 'of the caitonmay be dispensed is readily accomplished. It will be understood that theangled cuts may be used in both Inain' closure panels, or the angledcuts may be used'in combination with a standard perforating rule.

These and other objects will be more fully detailed and set out in theaccompanying specifications when taken in conjunction with the drawingsherein in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the carton blank of the present inventionillustrating one form of easy opening device.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an erected and sealed cartonillustrating my easy opening device.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an opened carton.

FIGURE 4 is a view of the portion of the blank from which the carton ofFIGURE 3 is formed.

FIGURE 5 is a view of the blank in which angular cuts are provided alongboth hinge lines.

FIGURE 6 is a view of the blank from which the carton of FIGURE 3 ismade.

FIGURE 7 is a view of the carton of FIGURE 1 prior to closing of themain closure flaps.

FIGURE 8 is a view of a partially folded blank particularly illustratingthe lip portion of the easy opener.

FIGURE 9 is a view of the carton of FIGURE 7 prior to the closing of themain closure flaps.

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the side by siderelationship of sticks of butter or margarine in a carton in relation tothe closure panels of the easy opener.

The drawings illustrate a butter or margarine carton A formed from ablank such as B in one form of construction.

A modified form of construction is labeled C and is illustrated inFIGURE 5.

My construction is particularly designed to accommodate a plurality ofsticks of a product arranged in side by side relationship such as isnormally utilized for butter, margarine and the like.

Such cartons generally provide a pair of opposed generally rectangularsimilar top and bottom panels 10 and 12 respectively hinged alongopposed edges by parallel fold lines 14 and 16 to a back panel or firstpanel 18.

Front closure panels which may be referred to as second and third panels26 and 22 of a cross-sectional size corresponding generally to the backpanel 18 are provided, the panels 20 and 22 being connected to the edgeof one of the top and bottom panels 10 and 12 along fold lines 24 and 26and foldable into face contact to provide a tubular body with panels 10,12, and 18. Closure panels 28 and 30 are hingedly connected along a foldline 36 to the top and bottom panels 10 and 12. Main closure panels 32and 34 are hingedly connected along fold line 38 which may be a cutscore line to the top and bottom panels 10 and 12.

A pair of end closure flaps 40 and 42 are hingedly con nected to theback panel 18 along parallel fold lines 38 and 36, the end flaps 40 and42 being separated from the closure panels by cut lines 44, 46, 48 and50. The cut lines 48 and 59 are arcuate convex-1y with the ends of thecut lines terminating along extensions of the fold lines 14 and 16 toprovide lip portions 52 and 54 extending at their intermediate portionsbeyond the fold lines 14 and 16.

Closure panel 20 is provided with a pair of end flaps 56 and 58connected to the closure panel 20 along the parallel hingle lines 36 and38.

Portions of the end flaps 56 and 58 may be notched as indicated at 60and 62 along cut lines 64 and 66 which separate the flaps 56 and 58-from the side closure panels 30 and 34.

The pair of adjacent closure panels 32 and 34 designated as main closurepanels are provided with weakened lines of separation extending alongthe hinge line 38 to enable the closure flaps 32 and 34 to be at leastpartially separated readily from the erected carton A. The weakenedlines of separation illustrated in FIGURE 1 are in the form ofperforations 60 and angled cuts or diagonals 62 which extend into themediate portion of the panels from a point adjacent the fold lines. Theweakened lines of separation 60 and 62 preferably extend from an end ofthe lips 52 and 54 to a point terminating short of the other end of theflaps 32 and 34. Transverse fold lines 64 and 66 are provided at thepoint of termination of the weakened lines of separation 60 and 62.

In erection, the top and bottom panels and 12 are folded .into parallelrelation substantially normal to the back panel 18. The panel 22 isfolded to a position substantially parallel to the back panel 18 withthe front closure panel 20 folded into overlying relationship thereto.End flaps 56 and 58 are folded inwardly with side closure panels 28 and30 folded into overlying relationship to the end flaps 56 and 5'8.

End flaps and 42 are folded into the position illustrated in FIGURE 7,and then the main closure flaps 32 and 34 are then folded, intooverlying relation and sealed.

As may be observed in FIGURES 9 and 10, the lip portions 52 and 54extend beyond the end of the carton to provide a grasping portion.

The blank B illustrated in FIGURE 1 is furnished to the productmanufacturer with the panels 20 and 22 adhered together in overlyingrelation. The carton is squared, the product inserted, and the sideclosure flaps adhered in overlying relation as previously described.FIGURE 8 illustrates such a glued blank as, furnished to the productmanufacturer.

As may be seen in FIGURE 3, when the main closure flaps are raised, oneor more quarters of the prod-uct are exposed. The main closure flapsseparate from the top and bottom panels along the weakened lines ofseparation and fold into an upright position as indicated in FIGURE 3along the transverse fold lines which have been previously described. Inthis position, the sticks of the product may be easily removed from thecarton.

I have found that the separation of the main closure panels from the topand bottom panels may be more easily accomplished by providing asubstantially 50% cut score at the base of the cutting arrangement, asbest illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4. This cut score line has beendesignated with the numeral 63. Similar cut score lines have beendesignated with the same numeral in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6.

In preferred construction, the angled cuts are an angle of and thesecuts combined with the cut score at the ends of the diagonally cut linesenable the carton to be readily opened.

As has been indicated, the angled cuts in the form of diagonal lines maybe used in both main closure panels or in combination with a standardperforating rule as indicated in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 5 illustrates themodified construction in which the angled cutting is used in both mainclosure panels. While these panels are of the general shape of thepanels previously described, they have been provided with the numerals70 and 72 to distinguish the modified construction.

It will be understood, that the cut score at adjacent the ends of thediagonal cut lines enables the carton to be more readily opened.

The panel 20 may be of slightly less width than the panel 22 which itoverlies. The panel 22 is of substantially the same width as the rearpanel 18, whereas the panel 20 is sealed or adhered to the panel 22 inthe erected carton and accordingly no necessity exists for the panel 22correspondent with the panel 18.

In the preferred construction the angled cuts intermediate the ends are100% cuts while the cut score 68 is a cut score. The juncture ofconnecting of angled cuts at this apex is approximately /s" above thecut score lines.

The lead nick 74 indicated in FIGURE 4 is approximately .028 whereas theother nicks 76 are approximately .014 in the preferred construction asdistinguished from the 100% cut score of the intermediate portion of thediagonal cut score lines.

It has been found that on heat scalable butter cartons,

such as are described, that the standard perforating rule tends to fusetogether when heat is applied in the final sealing. The angled cuts donot fuse together so readily when heat is applied and consequently theopener functions efficiently whether provided along one or both sides ofthe main closure panels being provided with the angled cuttingarrangement.

It will be apparent that the main closure panels will tend to separatefrom the carton along the weakened lines of separation. It is apparent,the carton is readily opened with the sticks of the product indispensing relation to the opening. If desired, the opener may be openedonly the width desired to permit one stick of the product to be exposed.

As may be seen in FIGURE 2, the grasping lips 48 and 50 extend perhapsbeyond the panel 20 which serves to provide a sufficient surface toenable the easy opening main panels to be readily grasped and lifted,but without interfering with the normal packing of the cartons in anouter carton.

As is illustrated in FIGURE 3, the main closure panels have separatedfrom the carton A along the angled cuts 76.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my easy opening device; and while Ihave endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire tohave it understood thatobvious changes may be made within the. followingclaims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A butter carton or the like comprising:

a pair of similar rectangular main panels,

a first side panel hingedly connecting opposed edges of said mainpanels,

second and third side panels each hingedly connected to the edge of oneof said main panels parallel to said opposed edges and folded into facecontact to provide a tubular body,

said second side panel lying outwardly of said third side wall panel,closure flaps hingedly connected to said .first and second side wallpanels and folded in coplanar relation,

closure flaps on said main panels folded to overlie said side wallclosure flaps and secured together in face contact,

registered fold lines extending across said main panel closure flapsnormal to the lines of fold connecting said last named closure flaps tosaid main panels and spaced from said first side panel a distancegreater than the length of the closure flap hinged to said first sidepanel,

weakened lines of separation in said main panel closure flaps extendingalong the lines of fold connecting said main panel closure flaps to saidmain panels from the ends of these flaps adjacent said first side wallpanel to said registered fold lines.

ends of said main panel closure flaps projecting beyond the plane ofsaid side wall panel to provide a projecting tab,

wherein when the portions of said main panel closure flaps are separatedalong said weakened lines of separation, the closure flap securedto saidfirst side wall is entirely exposed,

said first side wall closure flap being substantially free of adhesiveconnection to said main panel closure flap.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which at least one said weakened lineof separation include-a series of angularly disposed cut scoresextending toward the mediate portions of said main panel closure flapseach said out score, being connected. to an adjacent cut score at oneend, one end of each said out score terminating closely adjacent to saidline of fold.

3. The structure of claim 2. and in which said cut scores intermediatetheir ends are a 100% out.

4. The structure of claim 2 and in which both said weakened lines ofseparation are angularly disposed cut scores.

5. The structure of claim 3 and in Which said cut scores at said endsadjacent said lines of fold are of greater depth than at said other end.

6. The structure of claim 2 and in which said lines of fold are cutscore lines.

7. An outer carton in combination with sticks of a product such asbutter and the like including:

a butter carton or the like comprising:

a pair of similar rectangular main panels,

a first side panel hingedly connecting opposed edges of said mainpanels,

second and third side panels each hingedly connected to the edge of oneof said main panels parallel to said opposed edges and folded into facecontact to provide a tubular body,

said second side panel lying outwardly of said third side wall panel,closure flaps hingedly connected to said first and second side wallpanels and folded in coplanar relation,

closure flaps on said main panels folded to overlie said side wallclosure flaps and secured together in face contact,

registered fold lines extending across said main panel closure flapsnormal to the lines of fold connecting said last named closure flaps tosaid main panels and spaced from said first side panel a distancegreater than the length of the closure flap hinged to said first sidepanel,

weakened lines of separation in said main panel closure fiaps extendingalong the lines of fold connecting said main panel closure flaps to saidmain panels from the ends of these flaps adjacent said first side wallpanel to said registered fold lines,

ends of said main panel closure flaps projecting beyond the plane ofsaid first side wall panel to provide a projecting tab,

separation of said main panel closure flaps along said weakened lines ofseparation from said main panels defining a product opening,

a plurality of sticks of a product in side by side relation in saidcarton,

said product sticks arranged with an end of at least one stickregistered with said product opening, whereby said product sticks areadapted to be dispensed through said product opening successively.

8. The combination of claim 7 and in which said product opening is of alength corresponding to the width of at least half said product sticks.

9. The combination of claim 7 and in which at least one said weakenedline of separation includes a series of angularly disposed cut scoresextending toward the mediate portions of said main panel closure flaps,each said out score being connected to an adjacent cut score at one end,one end of each said cut score terminating closely adjacent to saidlines of fold.

10. A carton blank for use with butter and the like in stick formcomprising:

a pair of similar rectangular main panels hingedly connected alongparallel fold lines to a first side panel,

second and third side panels each hingedly connected to the edge of oneof said main panels parallel to said parallel fold lines,

closure flaps hingedly connected to said first and second side wallpanels,

closure flaps on said main panels hingedly connected along parallel foldlines,

one pair of said parallel fold lines being a cut score line,

corresponding fold lines extending across said main panel closure flapsconnected to said main panels along said out score line,

said fold lines being normal to the cut score line and spaced from saidfirst side panel a distance greater than the length of the closure flapshinged to said first side panel,

weakened lines of separation in said main panel closure flaps extendingalong the cut score line connecting said main panel closure flaps tosaid main panels from the ends of these flaps adjacent said first sidewall panel to said registered fold lines,

at least one said weakened line of separation including diagonallyextending cut lines having one end adjacent said cut score line,adjacent diagonal lines being connected at one end,

ends of said main panel closure flaps extending along the cut score lineprojecting beyond the fold lines connecting said first side panel tosaid main panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,928,539 3 /1960 Chirchiglia229-51 XR 3,065,896 11/ 1962 Grapp 229-5 1 3,108,735 10/1963 Meyers229-51 3,237,842 3 /l966 Esse 229-51 3,263,899 8/1966 Colluna et al.229-51 DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. R. PESHOCK, AssistantExaminer.

1. A BUTTER CARTON OR THE LIKE COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SIMILAR RECTANGULAR MAIN PANELS, A FIRST SIDE PANEL HINGEDLY CONNECTING OPPOSED EDGES OF SAID MAIN PANELS, SECOND AND THIRD SIDE PANELS EACH HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID MAIN PANELS PARALLEL TO SAID OPPOSED EDGES AND FOLDED INTO FACE CONTACT TO PROVIDE A TUBULAR BODY, SAID SECOND SIDE PANEL LYING OUTWARDLY OF SAID THIRD SAID WALL PANEL, CLOSURE FLAPS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDE WALL PANELS AND FOLDED IN COPLANAR RELATION, CLOSURE FLAPS ON SAID MAIN PANELS FOLDED TO OVERLIE SAID SIDE WALL CLOSURE FLAPS AND SECURED TOGETHER IN FACE CONTACT, REGISTERED FOLD LINES EXTENDING ACROSS SAID MAIN PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS NORMAL TO THE LINES OF FOLD CONNECTING SAID LAST NAMED CLOSURE FLAPS TO SAID MAIN PANELS AND SPACED FROM SAID FIRST SIDE PANEL A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF THE CLOSURE FLAP HINGED TO SAID FIRST SIDE PANEL, WEAKENED LINES OF SEPARATION IN SAID MAIN PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS EXTENDING ALONG THE LINES OF FOLS CONNECTING SAID MAIN PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS TO SAID MAIN PANELS FROM THE ENDS OF THESE FLAPS ADJACENT SAID FIRST SIDE WALL PANEL TO SAID REGISTERED FOLD LINES. ENDS OF SAID MAIN PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS PROJECTING BEYOND THE PLANE OF SAID SIDE WALL PANEL TO PROVIDE A PROJECTING TAB, WHEREIN WHEN THE PORTION OF SAID MAIN PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS ARE SEPARATED ALONG SAID WEAKENED LINES OF SEPARATION, THE CLUSURE FLAP SECUREDTO SAID FIRST SIDE WALL IS ENTIRELY EXPOSED, SAID FIRST SIDE WALL CLOSURE FLAP BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF ADHESIVE CONNECTION TO SAID MAIN PANEL CLOSURE FLAP. 